Objectively-speaking, going purely from quality, I'd have to say the best Western animation series I've ever watched was Avatar: The Last Airbender. That show was legit. I mean, it had everything. Everything.Properly researched, at that! Action, comedy, romance, drama, horror, mystery? Check. Themes of war, family, friendship, alienation, loss, responsibility, destiny, hardwork, ancestry, spirituality, nature, loneliness, murder, political backstabbing, balance, harmony, and who knows what else? Check. Unbelievably realistic martial arts and philosophy, lifted from actual real-world teachings and traditions? Check. A cast of quirky, lovable, relatable, yet still badass people? Check. A self-awareness of the show's own nature and plots? You might want to see The Ember Island Players.

Subjectively-speaking, however, going purely from taste, my favorite Western animation series was and still is Codename: Kids Next Door. A group of 5 Kid Heroes as part of a global anti-adult organization who fights for the rights of kids everywhere (with the main headquarters being located on the moon)? Parodies, homages and shout outs ranging from Chinatown to Dragon Ball Z to Sheep in the Big City to X-Men to Kingdom Hearts? Humongous Mecha made of newborn chicks, Bamboo Technology that Runs On Nonsensoleum (and the Rule of Cool, of course), candy pirates raiding the town on Halloween, dogfights between two chili dog-eating ace pilots, dodgeball wizards, giant monkeys made with rainbow powers, homework-eating werewolves, underground rootbeer bars, and a musical episode featuring, of all people, GWAR? More need not be said. It must be seen to be believed.

Legend of Korra? Hmmm, I can't give any fair judgment now, seeing as it's only a quarter of the way finished. But so far, I like it! The technological advancements made in the show mirror the real world from around 1850 to 1920s, I think, so it still keeps a touch of realism. A lot of things make sense when you go back and think about 'em (such as why Korra relies on firebending so much; using water or earth would cause damage to the city, while she can't use air yet). Lin Beifong is metal Spider-Woman, 'nuff said. Pro-bending is a delightfully creative sport, combining real-world sports and martial arts old and new. Also, I'm proud to say that the show managed to convince me to become a Korrasexual.

Having said that, it's not without its flaws. Asami is a terribly underdeveloped character. There was less buildup to the reveal of Amon's identity than I would have liked. I don't like how they treat Bolin like a dispensable Butt Monkey (they nearly fell into that hole with Sokka. Luckily, meteorite sword to the rescue!). Also, Bolin saw Korra first AND was the one who got Korra in the Fire Ferrets in the first place. Mako was already with Asami. So what's the deal with Mako-Korra?! It seems forced. Lastly, the moment Korra airbended needed to be more epic. More... victorious. In my opinion, anyway. These are some of the more grievous criticisms I have, for now.

However, the fact that: 1) Yes, Amon and The Equalists do have a point, in that non-benders seem to be discriminated against in Republic City, so it's not a clear-cut Black-and-White morality tale, and 2) Iroh II exists, more than makes up for it! I'm looking forward to the following books!

I'd been watching Adventure Time and Regular Show for a while, both of which are really good. Regular Show is fantastic if you're hanging out with a bunch of people and you want to watch something that will crack you up. Adventure Time is fun and cool and has all that neat hidden/not so hidden background sinister stuff.

But man, Gravity Falls is just far beyond both of those shows in my opinion. The consistent continuity, the mysteries all around, the codes, the fantastic characterization and voice acting. It's all superb and I'm really glad it's on television.

Okay, so Gravity Falls is about these two twins, Dipper and Mabel. Their parents send them off for a summer to Gravity Falls, a small town in Oregon, to stay with their Great Uncle (Grunkle) Stan, a scam artist who owns "The Mystery Shack," a tourist trap full of fake mysteries. Dipper quickly finds out that things are not what they seem in Gravity Falls when he finds a book detailing many supernatural occurrences and creatures in the town.

That's the basic premise of the show. The show has many strengths. Basically, each week we get a new supernatural being or item, and the episode sort of revolves around that. It's far from typical though, it's not just an "event of the week" show, as it has a consistent continuity and loads of recurring characters.

However, I'd say that the show's biggest strength is in the main cast and the dialogue. Dipper and Mabel pull off the "twins" bit really well, their chemistry and back-and-forth is a big part of what makes the show great. Grunkle Stan is also a great character for one-off lines. There are a few other great main characters but I'll leave it at that for now.

There are lots of mysteries for the viewer themselves to unlock. (If you watch the show, take a look at Gravity Falls conspiracy theories and the like, some hold a surprising amount of weight) Each episode ends with a cryptogram for the viewer to translate, which I personally love.

So yeah, I like Gravity Falls a lot and could say a lot more about it, but for now I'll just round it off with "Go watch the show!"

Also, this is just a side note for anyone who used to watch Homestar Runner back in it's heyday: Matt Chapman, the voice of all the characters on Homestar, is working on Gravity Falls as a writer/director/voice actor, so that's pretty great.

Leo M. R. wrote:

Interesting... It is ongoing, I assume?

Indeed. Still in its first season. It airs on Disney Channel, interestingly enough.

Indeed. Still in it's first season. It airs on Disney Channel, interestingly enough.

I am intrigued... Righto, your recommendation is noted down, clever one! I thanketh thee Though the trauma of Young Justice's premature cancellation still haunts me so. I find myself quite reluctant to try any ongoing Western animation series that is not named My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

Apparently a lot of people watch Gravity Falls... and love it. Fascinating...

I can't say for every one but I'd say it's the little things they do like the cryptic messages, the relationship between the siblings(take Carpet diem for example), subtle foreshadowing(I'm looking at you epi. 09) and the fact that I find most of the characters to be believable. Another thing for me is now that I've seen more I'm going back and seeing lots of things I missed that make the episodes that much better! I could go on and on, kinda not really, but I digress.